Transform Your Garden in 2026
Taylors Garden Buildings Guide to Choosing the Right Garden Building
With spring just around the corner, there's no better time to think about making the most of your outdoor space. Whether you're dreaming of a peaceful garden retreat, a productive home office, a robust storage solution, or a lush greenhouse overflowing with homegrown vegetables — a quality garden building can completely transform how you live and use your garden.
At Taylors Garden Buildings, our experienced team have been helping homeowners across the UK find the perfect garden building for over 30 years. In this guide, we'll walk you through the most popular options, help you match your needs to the right structure, and share expert tips to make sure you get the most from your investment.
1. Why a Garden Building is One of the Best Investments You Can Make
The garden building market has boomed in recent years — and for good reason. The pandemic accelerated the trend of working from home, and people began looking at their gardens as usable, valuable extensions of their living space. But the appeal goes far beyond home offices.
Here are just a few of the ways a garden building adds real value to your home and lifestyle:
• Extra living space without the cost of an extension
• A dedicated workspace away from household distractions
• Increased property value — garden rooms can add up to 5% to your home
• Organised storage, keeping your home clutter-free
• A hobby space, gym, art studio, or simply a quiet escape
💡 A well-chosen garden building pays for itself — not just in practicality, but in the quality of life it brings day after day.
2. Sheds: The Classic Garden Workhorse
The humble shed has come a long way. Today's garden sheds range from compact, practical storage units to impressive heavy-duty structures built for serious workshops and hobbyists. Choosing the right shed comes down to understanding exactly what you need it for.
Wooden sheds remain the most popular choice for good reason — they're versatile, attractive, and easy to customise with paint or stain to match your garden aesthetic. Pressure-treated timber adds longevity, making them a sound long-term investment.
If security and low-maintenance are your top priorities, a metal shed is hard to beat. Ideal for storing garden machinery, tools, and bicycles, metal sheds from leading brands such as Biohort and Asgard offer superb durability with anti-corrosion finishes that resist the British weather year after year.
For those who want zero maintenance, plastic sheds are a practical solution. They won't rot, rust, or require regular treatment, making them ideal for storing lighter garden equipment.
💡 Not sure which size you need? A good rule of thumb: always go one size bigger than you think. Gardens have a way of filling up storage space faster than you expect!
3. Summerhouses: Your Personal Garden Retreat
A summerhouse is so much more than an attractive garden feature — it's a genuine extension of your home. With large windows, optional glazed double doors, and a range of roof styles to choose from, today's summerhouses can be kitted out to serve as a reading room, hobby space, yoga studio, or simply a beautiful spot to enjoy your garden whatever the season.
Choosing Your Style
Summerhouses come in apex (traditional pitched roof), pent (contemporary flat/angled roof), corner-positioned, and octagonal designs. Corner summerhouses are particularly popular in smaller gardens as they maximise space without dominating the garden.
Making It Year-Round
Add insulation, double glazing, and electrical supply, and your summerhouse becomes a comfortable space throughout the year. Many of our customers use their summerhouses as home offices, beauty rooms, or creative studios — making them one of the most versatile garden buildings available.
💡 Look for a summerhouse with full-length windows and a south or west-facing position to make the most of natural light throughout the day.
4. Log Cabins: Premium Comfort and Stunning Style
For the ultimate garden building experience, a log cabin is in a league of its own. Built from solid interlocking timber walls — typically 28mm, 44mm, or 70mm thick — log cabins offer exceptional insulation and a warm, natural aesthetic that no other structure can match.
Log cabins are the go-to choice for those who want a permanent, high-quality structure that feels like a real room rather than a garden building. They're ideal as:
• Home offices and studios
• Garden bars and entertainment spaces
• Games rooms and teenage dens
• Guest accommodation (with the right specification)
• Multi-room layouts for larger properties
Lugarde: Bespoke Log Cabins Built to Last
We are proud to be one of the UK's leading installers of Lugarde log cabins — a Dutch manufacturer with over 40 years of heritage crafting premium garden buildings. The Lugarde Configurator allows you to design your perfect log cabin from scratch, choosing dimensions, roof style, window positions, door placement, and wall thickness. For those who prefer an off-the-shelf option, the Lugarde Select range offers the same quality at more accessible price points.
5. Garden Rooms: The Modern Alternative to an Extension
Garden rooms represent the cutting edge of outdoor living. Unlike traditional garden buildings, garden rooms are fully insulated, double-glazed, and wired for electricity as standard — making them truly year-round living spaces indistinguishable from a room in your home.
Our Elite Garden Rooms are bespoke structures designed and built to your exact specification. They're perfect for those who want the space and comfort of a home extension but at a fraction of the cost — and without the upheaval of building work inside the house.
💡 In most cases, garden rooms fall within Permitted Development rights and don't require planning permission, as long as they meet certain size and positioning criteria. Always check with your local planning authority to be sure.
6. Greenhouses: Grow Your Own, All Year Round
The grow-your-own movement has never been more popular, and a quality greenhouse is the cornerstone of any serious kitchen garden. Whether you're extending the growing season for tomatoes and peppers, nurturing seedlings through the colder months, or cultivating exotic plants that wouldn't survive outside, a greenhouse opens up a whole new world of gardening possibilities.
We stock a superb range of greenhouses from trusted manufacturers including Swallow GB, Halls, Mercia, Rowlinson, and the beautifully crafted Victorian-style greenhouses from Malvern. Choose from aluminium framed, timber, and polycarbonate options to suit your garden and budget.
Short on space but want both a greenhouse and storage area? Our clever combi greenhouse sheds combine both in one footprint — ideal for smaller gardens where every metre matters.
7. Planning & Buying Checklist: What to Consider Before You Buy
Buying a garden building is an exciting but considered purchase. Here are the key questions to ask yourself before you decide:
✓ What will I use it for?
Storage, workspace, leisure — or a combination? This determines the type, size, and specification you need.
✓ How much space do I have?
Measure carefully, including access around the building for maintenance. Don't forget to account for the base.
✓ Do I need planning permission?
Most garden buildings fall under Permitted Development, but there are height, size, and positioning limits. Garden rooms used as living accommodation have different rules.
✓ What base do I need?
A solid, level base is essential for any garden building. Concrete slabs, timber bearers, or a concrete pad are the most common options depending on the structure.
✓ What's my budget?
Factor in the building itself, delivery, installation (if required), base preparation, and any internal fitting-out such as insulation, lighting, or power supply.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Garden Building?
Whether you know exactly what you want or you're just beginning to explore the possibilities, the team at Taylors Garden Buildings is here to help. With over 30 years of experience, our family business has helped thousands of customers across the UK find the right garden building for their home, garden, and lifestyle.
Visit us at Woodmeadow Garden Centre, Kettering Road, Northampton — open seven days a week — where you can see examples of some of our buildings on display and speak to our knowledgeable team in person. Or browse our full range online and get in touch with any questions.
📞 Call us: 01604 780350
🌐 Visit: www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk
Your garden. Your space. Your building.